American Axle & Manufacturing Presents Seven Supplier Recognition Awards
DETROIT, June 4 -- American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. (AAM), which is traded as AXL on the NYSE, presented Supplier Recognition Awards to seven key suppliers at its 10th Annual Supplier Day on June 3, 2003. The event was held in Guanajuato, Mexico, home to AAM's Guanajuato Gear & Axle and Guanajuato Forge manufacturing facilities.
The following companies were recognized with AAM's Supplier Recognition Awards for their outstanding contributions as key supplier/partners.
CONTEL has been a strategic supplier of IT services to AAM de Mexico since AAM began operations in Guanajuato in 1999. It has provided hardware, software, various IT services and on-site personnel in Mexico as well as technical support for AAM do Brasil. CONTEL was recognized for the critical role it played in the planning and execution of AAM's network and infrastructure expansion at Guanajuato Gear & Axle.
Defontaine Automotive, a leader in product technology, was recognized for the introduction of a new methodology for manufacturing exciter rings to AAM. Through utilization of this new methodology, AAM was able to realize a considerable cost savings in both raw materials and machining operations.
Gleason Corporation joined AAM's supplier base in 1994 as one AAM's first equipment suppliers. Since then, Gleason has delivered more than 70 gear- cutting machines to AAM locations in the United States and Mexico. The company was recognized for its introduction of a new dry hob machine in AAM's Detroit Gear & Axle. The machine provides more efficient removal of chips, a smaller footprint and ergonomic efficiencies.
Koyo Corporation, a roller bearing supplier, achieved a near perfect score in terms of quality, delivery and technology, based on AAM's supplier scorecard. Koyo attained this performance while providing significant cost reductions and comprehensive engineering support to the AAM locations it serves.
MANDO Corporation, a South Korea-based provider of brakes and steering systems, was new to AAM's supplier team last year and won its first Supplier Recognition Award in part by achieving zero defects for the 800,000 brake components it produced. This year the company is back for a repeat performance. It has again achieved zero defects, and to date, MANDO has never missed a just-in-time delivery.
Republic Engineered Products has provided AAM with engineered steels, technological expertise, and exceptional performance despite the difficulties that the steel industry has recently endured. Republic was recognized for its responsiveness, on-time delivery and improved quality performance.
Warren Industries is the recipient of AAM's third annual Supplier Customer Alliance Leads to Excellence (SCALE) Award. The company earned the award for its cost-reduction suggestion for the improvement of a machining operation, part quality and delivery, as well as the development of a new casting source.
AAM has presented its Supplier Recognition Awards to exceptional suppliers annually since 1994. A team of AAM associates from Procurement, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing, and Materials Management selected this year's award winners based on AAM's rating of its suppliers' product quality, delivery, service, technology and cost-saving performance.
"The suppliers that we have recognized are strategic partners dedicated to providing products and services to AAM that feature outstanding quality, on- time delivery, excellent customer service and competitive pricing," said Abdallah F. Shanti, AAM vice president, Procurement, IT & CIO, and host of the 2003 Supplier Day. "The award winners represent an elite tier of suppliers who have provided AAM with superior support in meeting and exceeding the requirements of AAM and its OEM customers."
AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering, design and validation of driveline systems and related components and modules, chassis systems and forged products for trucks, sport utility vehicles and passenger cars. In addition to its 14 locations in the United States (in Michigan, New York and Ohio), AAM also has offices and facilities in Brazil, England, Germany, Japan, Mexico and Scotland.
Certain statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts contain forward-looking information with respect to the Company's plans, projections or future performance, the occurrence of which involves risk and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual results or plans to differ materially from those expected by the company which include risk factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
For more information ... Media relations contact Investor relations contact Carrie L.P. Gray David J. Demos Director, Corporate Relations Vice President, Investor Relations (313) 974-2598 (313) 974-3074 grayc@aam.com demosd@aam.com Or visit the AAM website at www.aam.com
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